Hypocrisy

"Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and not see the plank in your own eye? Hypocrite, take first the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clear enough to take the speck out of your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:3,5

What makes the scandal surrounding Eliot Spitzer so shocking is that he was a man that made it his career to go after people for illegal activity, yet he was involved in criminal acts himself. It's not shocking that a man would sin, after all, we are all sinners, but in his case, would the public outrage have been as severe if he hadn't made it his job to prosecute so many people? Jesus says do not judge and you will not be judged and I think that what He means is that we all need to recognize our own human weaknesses and faults so that we never condemn others for theirs. We are too quick to condemn someone for certain acts, yet we are sometimes guilty of the same things. This makes us guilty before God because He sees our sins on a daily basis, yet we put others down without mercy. Is it that we think we are beyond reproach? Is it that we think we are better than others? Lately, when I catch myself judging someone, I remind myself that I have probably committed the same act I'm judging, or that I'll probably do the same if I were in the position. God is merciful and I know that in recognizing my hypocrisy at the moment, He will forgive me. It's hard to stop judging from one day to another, but know that in realizing it's something you need to work on, God will help you through. It is much better to humble yourself and recognize you're a sinner, then to walk around with your head held high only to be found out as a hypocrite.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, search me and make known to me all the sins I have committed against You and others. Put them before my eyes always so that I become aware of what I really am and not who I think I am. Help me not to judge others for their sins, but to instead help them in returning to You. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Spreading Poison

"In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use for others will be used for you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and not see the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother: 'Come, let me take the speck from your eyes,' as long as the plank is in your own? Hypocrite, take first the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clear enough to take the speck out of your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:2-5

I'm really ashamed to say right now that in Jesus' eyes, I'm a hypocrite. I am guilty of judging others and gossiping behind their backs, criticizing and putting down. But now, through this process of getting to know God better and getting to know myself better, I am growing into a healthier person. Psychologists will tell you that what you don't like about someone is what you don't like about yourself. I believe that criticizing others always has to do with our own problems with ourselves. I know that each time I put someone down, it was because I felt bad about myself. Maybe I was feeling insecure and felt better by putting someone else down. Maybe I was having trouble with something and felt better when someone else was having trouble. Maybe I was even jealous that someone else was happy and I wasn't. It never had to do with the other person, it was always a problem I had with myself. The worst part about it is that we never keep the venom to ourselves. Whenever we gossip, it's done with someone else, so I would also help spread the poison… another sin to add to my list.

I really am ashamed of my words and am trying my hardest to be who God wants me to be. None of us has the right to say anything about anybody because we don't know where they're coming from, nor are any of us perfect. Instead, whenever we feel we are going to judge or criticize someone, let's bring that energy to God, so that He can work on whatever is inside of us that needs attention or needs healing.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am so sorry for the times I've spoken badly about others or put them down. Heal me of my wounds and insecurities, so I can be a medium of peace and not of poison. In Your Name we pray, amen.